Irish trained runners got off the mark a lot earlier than was the case 24 hours earlier as Davy Russell steered Tiger Roll to win the Triumph Hurdle for Gordon Elliott, the first of four winners on the card for owners, Gigginstown House Stud. Irish trained horses claimed six out of the seven races on the card.
The leaders went a ferocious pace and Ruby Walsh got a horrific fall at the second flight from Abbyssial, bringing down his stablemate Adriano Des Mottes. Walsh was brought to hospital but was confirmed as having a compound fracture to his right humerus.
However, rounding the bend into the straight a group of four had broken free with Kentucky Hyden, Calipto, Guitar Pete and travelling best of all, Tiger Roll. Daryl Jacob had an uncomfortable run to the last with no stirrups but the race appeared sown up at that stage as Davy Russell brought Tiger Roll to the stands rail and they galloped up the hill to great success.
Ironically, Russell was riding the winner for his former bosses, Gigginstown House Stud, having been replaced by Bryan Cooper in January. Cooper is currently injured having broken his leg at Cheltenham on Wednesday as Ryanair Chief, Michael O’Leary commented; ‘’The only disappointment is Bryan isn’t riding him.’’
Reflecting on the victory, Russell said: “I had a good book of rides coming in and picked up this one because of the injury to Bryan but it’s great. Gordon has done a marvellous job with this horse. It is only the third run of his life and Gordon had him on the button.”
Surprisingly they didn’t go the usual crazy gallop early on in the County Hurdle and in the end it went to Daryl Jacob and Paul Nicholls who were chasing their first winners of the week and Lac Fontana duly obliged for the pair with a storming run on the outside rail.
Approaching the final flight, any one of about six or seven could have been involved at the finish but it was Arctic Fire who began to pull clear approaching the bottom of the hill only for Lac Fontana to pass him in the final 150 yards. Montbazon had travelled well into the race and came down the middle of the course to take third ahead of the fast finishing Diakali, stablemate to Arctic Fire in fourth.
“I’m really pleased for him (Daryl Jacob),” said Nicholls, who was getting off the mark for the festival.
“I told him to go out there and give it everything and this will win. He’s given it a great ride. I knew he would stay on up the hill.
“It has been a tough week for him and he is an emotional guy but he will be like a different jockey now. We’ve just been unlucky but that is what it is like here, it is little margins that make the difference.”
Jacob was on the receiving end of the other side of racing just 20 minutes later when going down to the start for the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle, he was thrown into the Best Mate enclosure and stretchered off in an ambulance.
The race was delayed by over 10 minutes and was action packed with the short priced favourite Briar Hill crashing out around halfway.
Coming down the hill, Deputy Dan had appeared to slip the field and stretched a couple of lengths clear rounding for home. He was chased all the time by Barry Geraghty on Apache Jack while Paul Carberry, who had given Very Wood an incredibly patient ride, began to make his move.
At the final flight, Deputy Dan’s lead was considerably reduced as he began to idle and Very Wood was quickest away from the last and stayed well clear of the tiring Deputy Dan and Apache Jack to win by four and a half lengths at the finish and give Michael O’Leary and co, a second winner.
Paul Carberry, riding his first winner at Cheltenham 2014, in his usual cheeky fashion said; He said: “It’s brilliant. Brilliant for Noel and I’m delighted to get him a winner. I know Ruby and AP and Barry [Geraghty] are always expected to win but I’m always expected to come up with a surprise and this is a good one.
“He travelled and jumped super and he’s going to be a lovely chaser. He stormed up the hill.
“I find it a lot easier now because I don’t take any pressure, I just get up and ride them.”
The Foxhunters Chase proved to be another one for the Irish as Tammy’s Hill led home a 1-2-3 for the Emerald Isle ahead of Carsonstown Boy and On The Fringe.
In a manner that was similar to what was witnessed only half and hour previously in the Gold Cup, three horses broke free up the hill to claim glory.
Tammy’s Hill, trained by Liam Lennon, was settled around midfield all the way before being produced for an effort between the final two fences. Turning towards the second last, he appeared be travelling best with Carsonstown Boy on his outside and On The Fringe, who appeared not to last home, on the stands rail.
At the line, Tammy’s Hill had pulled just over three lengths clear to give, jockey, James Smyth a first Festival winner.
Smyth said: “The horse has won about 17 races in hunter chases and point-to-points now and it couldn’t get much better than this.”
Gigginstown completed the treble courtesy of Don Poli, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Mikey Fogarty, who was riding his first Cheltenham Festival winner.
After another shambolic start, the field was quite strung out for most of the way as the leaders went off quite quick.
Those that stayed patient throughout were the ones that were rewarded as the leaders began to get reeled in approaching two out. Rounding for home and Don Poli and Thomas Crapper had sprinted clear but at the final flight, Mikey Fogarty had the upper hand and ran out an impressive four length winner.
This win helped Mullins to claim the Leading Trainers title for the Festival.
A dream day for Gigginstown then got even better as Savello claimed the final race of the Festival, the Grand Annual Chase which provided the owners with a four timer, while jockey, Davy Russell had a treble which included the Gold Cup.
Patiently ridden by Russell, Savello crept through the field after Next Sensation blazed a trail and although he still led turning for home, Russell appeared to have all angles covered with the Tony Martin trained gelding.
After the jumping the last, Savello still had a couple of lengths to make up on the leader but it appeared to be only a matter of pushing the button and when he did, the pair sprinted clear to win going away at the line.
Gigginstown and Ryanair supremo, Michael O’Leary could simply say; “It is like I have died and gone to heaven.’’
It was certainly a day to remember for the operation despite retiring stable star Last Instalment. I’m sure Tiger Roll, Very Wood, Don Poli and Savello will have made them feel a bit better though.
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